Army acts to promote gay rights

BBC News, 13 July 2008:

The Army has joined forces with leading gay rights group Stonewall to promote tolerance within its ranks.

Head of the British Army General Sir Richard Dannatt said discrimination prevented the full contribution that is "vital for our success in operations". Stonewall said it had yet to set up an action plan, but that it would initially focus on recruitment and retention of military personnel.

Stonewall brought legal action that removed a military ban on gays in 2000.

Tolerance and trust

The Army is the 400th member of Stonewall's Diversity Champions programme, and the final branch of the military to join.

General Dannatt said: "One of the Army's six Core Values is 'Respect for Others' and it is therefore our absolute duty to treat our fellow soldiers as we would wish to be treated ourselves.

"Discrimination against those in the Army who are lesbian, gay and bisexual does not give them a chance to contribute or to play a full part in the teams that are vital for our success on operations."

• full story from BBC News

• UPDATE - Stonewall media release: Army is Stonewall's 400th Diversity Champion - Historic day for Army's relationship with lesbian and gay people